Well-heeled: Tips For Picking High
Heels That Are Better For Your Feet
(BPT) - Few relationships in a woman's
life are as love-hate as the one she has
with her high heels. We love them
because they look great and make legs
appear longer and leaner, helping petite
women appear taller and tall women
statuesque. The hate, however, comes
when the pain begins.
High heels are the No. 1 culprit of foot
pain for women, according to an
American Podiatric Medical Association
survey. Nearly half of all women wear
heels, and 71 percent of heel-wearers
say those shoes hurt their feet, the
APMA reports.
"With many types of heels, like very high
stilettos, foot pain is hard to avoid," says
Dr. Matthew G. Garoufalis, a podiatrist
and immediate past president of the
APMA. "But it is possible for women to
find a happy mid-point between great
looks and great pain."
The APMA offers some basic guidelines
for choosing better-for-you heels:
* Nearly half of heel-owners admit to
wearing heels 3 inches or higher. That
height, however, shifts body weight
forward and puts great pressure on the
ball of the foot and the toes. Avoid heels
higher than 2 inches.
* A high stiletto with a pointy, closed toe
is the worst type of shoe for your feet.
Instead, choose heels with a generous
toe box area and extra cushioning at the
front of the shoe. A slight heel or wedge
encourages your arch to lift.
* Consider wearing supportive shoes
during your commute and changing into
high heels after you arrive at the office.
This will help minimize the time your feet
spend in heels.
Photo Credit: Luis Gonzalez
* Kitten heels are a good-looking, footfriendly option for heel wearers. With a
heel height typically less than 1 inch,
kitten heels deliver a bit of height without
the pressure that higher heels can cause.
* Be extra careful when wearing platforms
or wedges, as these styles can
compromise your balance and stability.
Very high shoes may lead to ankle rolls
and falls. Choose lower platforms and
wedges that secure with ankle straps.
* During warm weather, peep toes tempt
women to show off pretty pedicures. Be
aware, however, that peep toes can
cause toes to slip forward or overlap, and
may even push nail edges into skin,
causing an ingrown toenail.
* Visit the APMA's website,
www.apma.org, to review a list of
podiatrist-approved women's footwear
that has earned the organization's Seal of
Acceptance.
* If you experience persistent foot pain,
see a podiatrist. Feet shouldn't hurt all
the time, and if they do it may indicate
injury, irritation or illness. You can search
for a podiatrist in your area by visiting the
APMA website.
Finally, even if you're like the average
American woman and own nine pairs of
high heels, don't wear them every day.
Daily heel-wearing can cause the Achilles
tendon (the strong tendon at the back of
your ankle) to shrink, increasing your risk
of an injury while doing activities in flat
shoes, including exercise.
"Treat heels like dessert," Garoufalis
says. "Don't wear them all the time, just
on special occasions."
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